Chelsea 3 Albion 0

12 February 2018

ALBION fell to a 3-0 Premier League defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Eden Hazard bagged a brace for the Blues in west London, firing the hosts into a first-half lead before adding a strike from distance in the 71st minute, coming either side of Victor Moses' second-half effort.

Albion created good chances to get on the scoresheet themselves through Jay Rodriguez, Salomon Rondon and Jonny Evans but it was the Premier League champions who came out on top.

Alan Pardew's side will now head off to Barcelona for a mid-winter training camp this week before their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Southampton at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Albion suffered an early setback in the Monday Night Football encounter as Daniel Sturridge hobbled off due to injury after just four minutes.

But it was an otherwise positive start from the visitors, replacement Rodriguez and Rondon threatening an early opener while the former then sent another clear opening wide with just 11 minutes on the clock.

However, the Baggies were twice indebted to Ben Foster as he made a point-blank save to deny Davide Zappacosta and a reaction stop with his feet to keep out Olivier Giroud.

But he could do nothing to keep out the hosts' opener as Hazard burst into the penalty area, exchanged a one-two with Giroud and slotted home.

And it was a lead which remained in tact until the half-time interval, in which Head Coach Pardew introduced Oliver Burke.

As was the case at the start of the first half, Albion created some good chances at the start of the second.

Rondon dispossessed Andreas Christensen in the area only to see his low shot deflected wide by Thibaut Courtois for a corner, from which Baggies skipper Evans headed off target when well placed.

Yet the Blues doubled their lead in the 63rd minute as Moses passed to Cesc Fabregas, whose flick fortunately found its way back to the wide man and he slotted past Foster.

The Baggies No.1 saved well from Moses soon after but Hazard cut inside to add a third for Chelsea from 25 yards in the 71st minute.

Blues substitute Alvaro Morata tested Foster from distance as the home side ran out victors.